All the grammatical functions performed by phrases can be fulfilled by dependent clauses (DCs) too. In the example sentences below, the DCs (either finite or non-finite) function as subj., SC/SP, DO, OofP, OC/OP, and Advl. respectively.

1. Subject (Subj.):

• Finite that clause {That it would be unpopular with students} was obvious.

• Nonfinite to infinitive clause {To meet the lady }was easy enough.

• Nonfinite V-ing clause {Including milk with coffee} can make you fat.

2. Subject Complement/Predicate (SC/SP):

• Finite wh- clause That’s {what I’ll do tomorrow}.

• Nonfinite to infinitive clause Their job is {to save people’s lives}.

  • Nonfinite v-ing clause Their job is {cleaning the house}.

3. Direct Object (DO):

• Finite that clause She hoped {that Joe wouldn’t come in drunk}.

  • Nonfinite to-infinitive clause I wouldn’t like {to leave him}, she said.

• Nonfinite V-ing clause Stephanie disliked {living in this unfinished business}.

4. Prepositional Object (OofP):

• Finite wh- clause For {what you have done}, you deserve a long break.

• Nonfinite V-ing clause Please forgive me for {doubting you}.

5. Object Complement/Predicative (OC/OP):

• Nonfinite to-infinitive clause No one expects us {to sign our own death warrants}.

• Nonfinite V-ing clause She watches her son {scything the grass}.

• Nonfinite V-ed clause I got my books {mended}.

6. Adverbial (Advl.):

• Finite dependent clause Excuse me {if I talk too much}.

• Nonfinite to-infinitive clause I borrowed a phone {to ring my friend}.

• Nonfinite V-ing clause She gazed down {biting her lip}.

• Nonfinite V-ed clause I went on waiting, {tinged with doubt}.

Recommended article: Read this article on Thought&Co to learn how to use 'that' properly in various contexts.

that can be: a demonstrative determiner, a pronoun, a relativizer, a complementizer, and more.